Joseph Dow's History of Hampton: TEST PAPERS

TEST PAPERS

In the spring and summer of 1776, efforts were made to ascertain, as nearly as possible, who were friendly to the American cause and who still adhered to the British. The former about this time began to be called WHIGS, and the latter, TORIES -- names that had been in use in England nearly a century, to denote the country party and the court party. One means now employed was to offer to the people for their signatures, TEST PAPERS, as they were called, the nature and design of which are shown by the Resolves of Congress, and the orders issued to the selectmen of the several towns in New Hampshire, by the Committee of Safety, which are here introduced. Many of these papers are still preserved in the office of the Secretary of State at Concord. The one from Hampton contains the names of one hundred seventy-four signers -- only two persons having refused to sign. As it is an interesting and important document, it is her given in full, with no other change than a transposition of the names so as to arrange them in alphabetical order as a matter of convenience.

COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In Committee of Safety, April 12, 1776.

In order to carry the underwritten RESOLVE of the Hon'ble Continental CONGRESS into Execution, You are requested to desire all Males above Twenty-one years of age (Lunaticks, Idiots, and Negroes excepted) to sign to the DECLARATION on this Paper; and when so done, to make Return hereof, together with the Name of Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General-Assembly, or Committee of Safety of this Colony.

M. Weare, Chairman.

In Congress, March 14, 1776.

Resolved: That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils, or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all Persons to be disarmed, within their Respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the Cause of AMERICA, or who have not associated, and refuse to associate, to defend by ARMS, the United Colonies, against the Hostile Attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.

Extracts from the Minutes.

Charles Thompson, Sec'ry.

In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon. Continental CONGRESS, and to show our Determination in joining our American Brethren, in defending the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the Inhabitants of the UNITED COLONIES;

WE the subscribers do hereby solemnly engage and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with ARMS, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies, against the United American COLONIES.

Colony of New Hampshire. Pursuant to the within Request, we the subscribers, Selectmen of Hampton, have Desired all males within said Hampton, above twenty-on years of age (Lunatics, Idiots, and Negroes excepted) to sign to the Declaration on this paper; and there are that have Refused to sign the same, viz.: Capt. Jeremiah Marston & Daniel Philbrick.